After two consecutive years of decline, Egypt increased its palm date exports to Indonesia in marketing year (MY) 2024/25, surpassing previous benchmarks and setting a new volume record, according to EastFruit.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, Egypt exported 25,500 metric tons of palm dates to Indonesia, valued at US$23.8 million. This represents a 56% increase compared to MY 2023/24 and 25% more than MY 2022/23. The volume also exceeded the previous record of MY 2021/22 by 500 tons, although the export value remained below the all-time high of US$30.7 million.
Indonesia is Egypt's second-largest destination for palm dates after Morocco, accounting for around 30% of Egypt's total exports. Egypt first entered the Indonesian market in MY 2006/07 with 835 tons, rising to 4,000 tons in MY 2007/08. Volumes have steadily grown since, peaking at 25,000 tons in MY 2021/22.
Exports declined in the following two years, with MY 2023/24 falling to 16,300 tons due to shipping disruptions in the Red Sea caused by the Houthis' blockade. Improved logistical conditions in MY 2024/25 enabled Egypt to recover and surpass its earlier export levels.
Egypt maintained its position as the leading supplier of palm dates to Indonesia, providing 44% of total imports in MY 2024/25. Peak shipments occurred in January and February, when Egyptian dates represented 61% and 55% of Indonesia's imports, respectively.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE were the next largest suppliers, together accounting for 35.5% of Indonesia's palm date imports. Tunisia, Algeria, Iran, and Libya supplied the remainder.
Import trends from recent years show Indonesia's dependence on Egyptian palm dates. The decline in Indonesia's total imports between MY 2022/23 and MY 2023/24 was primarily due to reduced Egyptian shipments. With Egypt's rebound in MY 2024/25, Indonesia's overall import volumes increased again.
Egypt is also working to expand palm date exports to other markets, including Turkey, where export volumes continue to grow.
Source: EastFruit